Joel Zumaya learns to mix his pitches

We all know that Joel Zumaya has the power to blow batters away with a fastball topping out at over 100 MPH. But to be a successful reliever (and potential future closer) Zumaya has to rely on more than just power, and that's why, according to DetroitTigers.com, he's been working hard on developing his change-up.

May 3, DetroitTigers.com: "That's a good moment to throw it, when the guy's sitting dead-red [on a fastball]," Zumaya said. "I can also throw the breaking ball, but he hasn't seen the changeup, so it's a good place to throw it.

Before Saturday's game, manager Jim Leyland said the changeup was a good show pitch, but not a priority as long as Zumaya had his curveball working. But Leyland acknowledged the value of throwing it on occasion -- even as a work in progress -- as long as Zumaya can throw it for a strike.

"When you think about it, there's not a hitter in baseball who's going to go up and look for his changeup," Leyland said.